Juniper Networks shares fell about 5 percent after Nokia denied takeover talks. Juniper's shares had shot up 22 percent after CNBC reported that Nokia had offered to buy the network gear maker for about $16 billion.
Sears Holding jumped 13.3 percent after the retailer narrowed its quarterly losses.
A clutch of data also helped sentiment. U.S. consumer spending slowed in October but underlying price pressures pushed higher for a second straight month.
The number of Americans filing for unemployment benefits fell last week, dropping for a second straight week as labor market conditions tightened further.
Advancing issues outnumbered decliners on the NYSE by 1,871 to 752. On the Nasdaq, 1,567 issues rose and 895 fell.
This article was provided by Reuters.